Simulated Wind Uplift Testing of Adhered Single-Ply Roofing Systems in accordance with FM Standard 4470, Appendix C Prepared for: 2100 River Edge Parkway, Suite 175 Atlanta, GA 30328 Date of Issuance: March 30, 2009
Page 2 of 7 CLIENT INFORMATION: ERD REFERENCE: CLIENT SAMPLES: 2100 River Edge Parkway, Suite 175 Atlanta, GA 30328 c/o: Ken Franklin Project #2008.P12850SC Fanfold XPS is a lightweight, 3/8-inch extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) insulation laminated to a plastic facer. Carlisle Sure-Seal EPDM is an elastomeric homogenous roofing membrane used in single-ply roof construction and reroofing applications. Firestone UltraPly TPO is a reinforced thermoplastic polyolefin single ply roof membrane. Firestone RubberGard EPDM is a high-performance rubber compound. Used in ballasted, fully adhered and mechanically attached systems. Carlisle Sure-Weld TPO is a TPO polymer based, polyester reinforced, thermoplastic membrane. GAF EverGuard TPO is a high strength, flexible, thermoplastic membrane. 3M TM Scoth-Weld TM Polystyrene Foam is a fast drying, solvent based, temperature resistant, spray applied adhesive. Tru-Fast DP are #12 drill-point roofing fasteners. Tru-Fast MP3 are 3-inch round metal insulation stress plates. SAMPLE DELIVERY: The named client arranged for shipment of materials to our Columbia, South Carolina laboratory for testing. Materials were received on 12/18/2008, 12/23/2008, 01/06/2009,
Page 3 of 7 01/12/2009 and 01/13/2009. TEST DATE(S): 01/07/2009 and 01/14/2009 M-D NOTIFICATION: ERD07037 ERD TECHNICIANS: Charles Phillips, Michael Bloom PROPERTIES: Simulated Wind Uplift Resistance 5 x 9 ft TAS 114, Appendix C STANDARDS: FM Standard 4470, Approval Standard for Class 1 Roof Covers, FM Global, 1992. EQUIPMENT: Wind Uplift Trinity ERD 5x9 chamber
Page 4 of 7 1. COMPARATIVE MEMBRANE DELAMINATION: 1.1 Membrane delamination tests were conducted on samples of the membrane/adhesive/insulation combinations to determine the comparative performance of each combination in resisting separation of the membrane from the insulation to which it is adhered. The results are used as the basis for selection of the most critical (membrane, adhesive, substrate) combination to be used in the simulated wind uplift pressure tests. 1.2 Specimen Preparation: 1.2.1 The center 3 x 6 inch section of a 3 x 20 inch piece of the roof cover is adhered in the specified adhesive to the center of a 14 x 14 inch piece of substrate material, and allowed to cure for maximum 28-days. Upon curing, the specimen is inserted into an angle iron frame, holding the substrate material static and horizontal. Three specimens are prepared for each membrane / adhesive / substrate combination. 1.3 Procedure: 1.3.1 The free ends of the roof cover are placed in the upper jaws of a tensile testing machine. Force is applied in a direct line perpendicular to the membrane/substrate interface at a crosshead speed of 2 inch/minute until failure occurs. 1.4 Results: Table 1: Comparative Membrane Delamination Results Substrate Adhesive Roof Cover Average Result (pli) Carlisle Sure-Seal EPDM 2.9 Firestone RubberGard EPDM 2.3 Carlisle Sure-Weld TPO 4.0 GAF EverGuard TPO 6.5 Firestone UltraPly TPO 4.6 1.5 Observations: 1.5.1 The critical membrane, adhesive, substrate combination for the EPDM roof cover is RubberGard EPDM in adhesive atop. 1.5.2 The critical membrane, adhesive, substrate combination for the TPO roof cover is Sure-Weld TPO in adhesive atop.
Page 5 of 7 2. SIMULATED WIND UPLIFT RESISTANCE 5 X 9 FT PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL 2.1 Specimen Preparation: 2.1.1 One specimen measuring 6 x 10 ft was constructed for each of the following sample descriptions. The specimen is built atop the specified roof deck and allowed to cool / cure for a minimum of 30 minutes. The simulated wind uplift pressure tests utilize a 5 ft (1.5 m) long by 9 ft (2.7 m) wide aluminum vacuum pressure vessel arranged to apply vacuum air pressure at pre-established standard rates to the topside of the test panel, which forms the bottom of the pressure vessel. Table 2A: Summary of 5 x 9 ft Specimen Construction Sample ID Deck Bottom Insulation Top Insulation Roof Cover Type Attachment Density Membrane Adhesive Rate C-1 22 ga. Grade 33 Steel Min. 1-inch ISO 95 +GL, loose laid 3/8-inch XPS Trufast #12 Fasteners and Insulation Plates 1 per 2 ft 2 RubberGard EPDM 3M Polystyrene Foam Insulation 78 0.029 lbs/sq.ft. C-2 22 ga. Grade 33 Steel Min. 1-inch ISO 95 +GL, loose laid 3/8-inch XPS Trufast #12 HD Fasteners and Insulation Plates 1 per 2 ft 2 Sure-Weld TPO 3M Polystyrene Foam Insulation 78 0.029 lbs/sq.ft. View of Insulation Attachment
Page 6 of 7 2.2 Procedure: 2.2.1 A net pressure of 30 psf (1.4 kpa) is applied to the test sample and maintained for 1 minute. The pressure is increased to 45 psf (2.2 kpa), then to 60 psf (2.9 kpa) and held for 1 min. after each increment. The pressure is increased in increments of 15 psf (0.7 kpa) every min. until failure occurs. 2.3 Results: Table 2B: Test Results, Sample C-1 Steel/ 1-inch ISO 95 +GL/ @ 1 per 2 ft 2 RubberGard EPDM in Sample ID: C-1 Failure 75 Failure Time (sec): At Attainment Failure Mode: Passing Bending of Plates and rupture of XPS Board 60 Table 2C: Test Results, Sample C-3 Steel/ 1-inch ISO 95 +GL/ @ 1 per 2 ft 2 Sure-Weld TPO in Sample ID: C-2 Failure 75 Failure Time (sec): During Increase Failure Mode: Passing Bending of Plates and rupture of XPS Board 60
Page 7 of 7 3. OBSERVATIONS & COMMENTS: 3.1 The critical membrane/adhesive combinations were utilized over each type of substrate for the two uplift tests. 3.2 Result for Panel C-1 is applicable to the following membrane / adhesive combinations. Carlisle Sure-Seal EPDM applied in. Firestone RubberGard EPDM applied in. 3.3 Result for Panel C-2 is applicable to the following membrane / adhesive combinations. Carlisle Sure-Weld TPO applied in. GAF EverGuard TPO applied in Firestone UltraPly TPO applied in 3.4 Minimal bond was noted at the stress plate interface with the adhesive. This, coupled with the relatively thin insulation board and flexible roof cover, let to a folding of the insulation plates and rupture of the insulation board. 4. CONCLUSIONS: 4.1 TRINITY ERD has tested the specimens outlined in Table 2A for wind uplift resistance in accordance with FM Standard 4470, Appendix C resulting in the data outlined in Tables 2B and 2C. 4.2 Specimens were constructed using critical roof cover / adhesive combinations based on preliminary criticality analysis. Allowable membrane / adhesive combinations over the insulation substrates are outlined in Section 3. Please contact our office with any questions. Sincerely, TRINITY ERD Larry Good Laboratory Quality Manager Robert Nieminen, P.E. Vice President REPORT HISTORY: Date Event Notes Authorized By: 02/09/2009 DRAFT TO CLIENT FOR CLIENT REVIEW RN 03/30/2009 Final Report Issued None RN This report and the data contained therein is the sole property of Trinity ERD and the named client. This report shall not be reproduced outside Trinity ERD except by the named client without written permission by the named client, in which case the report shall be reproduced in its entirety.